2007 Toyota Camry

Keep looking

Keep the 100,000 mile POS, even though Little tbf is on the way

I don't normally ask this kind of question, and I know we have these threads all the time, but we have a pretty tough decision to make.

Here are the two vehicles:

2007 Camry LE
14,000 miles, 4 cylinder
Leather, but nothing special that stands out
I can get it for about $19,000

2007 Honda Accord EXL
2,300 miles, 6 cylinder
Leather and all the bells and whistles you can imagine (except a navigation system).
Can be bought for about $25,000

Both were dealer program cars, you know, loaners and the owner's wife, etc. Personally, I like the Accord better, and Mrs. tbf has no preference. It handles better and has a few options like heated seats and a moon roof, etc. The Camry is obviously a good bet, too. It has a little more room and gets just a bit better gas mileage (a couple of MPG, I think). And it's cheaper. Hell, they sell 100 million of them each year. Its exterior is a little bland, as opposed to the Accord.
Both are extremely safe and reliable cars. I've done the research and both earn top crash-test and reliability ratings. According to Kelly Blue Book, both are fairly priced.

Chew me out, make fun of me, tell me to eff off. Whatever. Just help me talk through this.

Second that. More room, (slightly) more MPG and $6k less sells me on the Camry. Bells and whistles are tempting at this stage, but in a year the luster wears off and it becomes just car stuff.

Incidentally, my little one is two and I'm officially tired of contorting myself and her to get to the middle child seat in our two sedans. My wife and I thought we were over the SUV era and she thinks getting a minivan is akin to waving the white flag on life, but damn those options seem tempting now.

Six of one, half-dozen of the other. The good news is this is a no-lose choice.

I would go after the Accord without question, but that's because I believe the upgrade to a six-cylinder over a four-banger is worth it alone. The easy argument against it and for the Camry, however, is that the six-cylinder isn't as friendly on mileage and other arguments have been made that the power the two extra cylinders produce don't justify the price and lower mileage.

Both are bulletproof. On top of the extra pair of cylinders, slight edge to the Accord because of Honda's second-to-none ergonomics and their ability to hold their value better come time for your next vehicle purchase.

Good luck regardless, and know that you're getting a solid machine either way ...

----

Playthrough - I cannot emphasize the minivan enough, especially a good one like the Honda Odyssey. I have a parent that needs the space and ingress/egress ease and it has been a champ. (Well ... except the audio that needs to be replaced, but Honda is picking up the bill and better that than something more crucial and mechanical ... )

I voted for the Camry. I'm a Toyota lover. I've driven Accords before and I like the way the Toyotas handle and feel better.
Plus with a little one on the way the extra $5k you'll save by getting the Camry will come in handy down the road.